IC card reading/writing apparatus and an IC card system

ABSTRACT

An IC card reading/writing apparatus has an IC card reading/writing control unit having an intelligent function to control read-out/write-in processing for an IC card by an application unit in the IC card reading/writing apparatus. The IC card reading/writing control unit has, in addition to the intelligent function, a pass-through function to control read-out/write-in processing for the IC card by an application unit in a host for the IC card reading/writing apparatus by receiving a pass-through command from the host. With this arrangement, the IC card reading/writing apparatus can execute read-out/write-in processing for the IC card with either the intelligent function or the pass-through function, thereby minimizing the cost required to configure an IC card system.

This application is a division of Ser. No. 08/728,857 filed Oct. 10,1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,245.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an IC card (smart card) reading/writingapparatus and an IC card system. In particular, the present inventionrelates to an IC card reading/writing apparatus having both anintelligent function and a pass-through function, and an IC card systemusing the IC card reading/writing apparatus.

(2) Description of the Related Art

There is a tendency recently to distribute processes (functions) in asystem in order to reduce the burden on a host system from terminals orthe like. In a card system using an IC (Integrated Circuit) card, anintelligent-type IC card reading/writing (R/W: Reader/Writer) apparatusis used. Such apparatuses having a so-called intelligent function, inwhich an application is built to process the card data first instead ofthe host system like a personal computer, are spreading.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a general IC card system. InFIG. 14, reference numeral 101 denotes an IC card, reference numeral 102denotes an IC card reading/writing (R/W) apparatus (equipment), andreference numeral 103 denotes an intelligent-type IC card R/W apparatus.Reference numerals 104 and 105 denote a personal computer and a printingapparatus of which a host system of the IC card R/W apparatus 102 and103 consist.

The IC card R/W apparatus 102 has a so-called pass-through function tocontrol read-out/write-in processing for the IC card 101 by anapplication on the personal computer 104. The IC card R/W apparatus 102has, for example, a communication control unit 102 a, a mechanismcontrol unit 102 b, a mechanism unit 102 c and an IC card commandsprocessing unit 102 d, as shown in FIG. 15. Also, reference numeral 104a in the personal computer 104 denotes an application unit.

The communication control unit 102 a identifies a type of a R/W command(an R/W control command, an IC card command and so on, described later)received from the personal computer 104 to control a communication(transmission/reception of a command/response) with the IC card 101according to a result of the identification. The mechanism control unit102 b transmits an instruction to insert (i.e., “fetch”) or dischargethe IC card 101 to the mechanism unit 102 c if the type of the R/Wcommand accepted through the communication control unit 102 a is a R/Wcontrol command, which instructs to insert/discharge the IC card 101.

The mechanism unit 102 c drives a motor or the like according to theinstruction to insert/discharge the IC card 101 from the mechanismcontrol unit 102 b so as to insert/discharge the IC card 101. The ICcard command processing unit 102 d transmits a card command to get carddata of the IC card 101 described later if a type of the R/W commandreceived by the communication control unit 102 a is an IC card command.Unit 102 d transmits a response (including data from the IC card 101)thereto to the personal computer 6. Using this function (thepass-through function), the application unit 104 a of the personalcomputer 104 can directly process the card data (a reading/writingprocess) in the IC card 101.

With the above structure, the above-mentioned IC card R/W apparatus 102performs an inserting/discharging process on the IC card 101 accordingto an instruction from the upper system (the personal computer 104 orthe like). In addition, the IC card command processing unit 102 dtransfers the card data of the inserted IC card 101 as a response to thehost system. In this manner, the application (the application unit 104 aof the personal computer 104) of the host system directly performs areading/writing process (a card data process) on the IC card 101.

The operation of the above-mentioned IC card system can be described asthe following with reference to the flowchart (Steps A1 through A8)shown in FIG. 16.

When the power source for the IC card R/W apparatus 102 is switched on,the IC card R/W apparatus 102 comes to a state of waiting for a commandfrom the host system (NO route at Step A1). If the R/W command, forexample, is transmitted from the personal computer 104 (Step A2) and theIC card R/W apparatus 102 receives this R/W command (if a decision atStep A1 is YES), the IC card R/W apparatus 102 checks whether the typeof the received R/W command is the R/W control command or the IC cardcommand (Steps A3 and A4).

If the received R/W command is an R/W control command (if a decision atStep A3 is YES), the mechanism control unit 102 b of the IC card R/Wapparatus 102 controls the mechanism unit 102 c to drive a motor toinsert/discharge the IC card 101 (Step A5). Then the IC card RANapparatus 102 transmits a command response to the R/W control command,which shows the process completed normally, to the personal computer 104(Step A8).

If the command from the personal computer 104 is an IC card command (ifa decision at Step A3 is NO and at Step A4 is YES), the communicationcontrol unit 102 a and the IC card command processing unit 102 d of theIC card R/W apparatus 102 perform an IC card command process on the ICcard 101 as the follows. The IC card R/W apparatus 102 converts thecommunication protocol of the card command to instruct reading/writingprocessing for the IC card 101, the instructed processing being adaptedto the IC card 101, and transmits the card command to the IC card 101.Further, the IC card R/W apparatus 102 receives a response (a cardresponse) to the transmitted card command. Apparatus 102 converts thecommunication protocol of this card response (including the card data ofthe IC card 101) into the original communication protocol adapted to thepersonal computer 104 (Step A6).

The IC card R/W apparatus 102 then transmits a command response to theR/W control command, which shows the process was completed normally, tothe personal computer 104 (Step A8). In the personal computer 104,having received this command response, the application unit 104 aperforms a data process on the card data of the IC card 101 transmittedas the response. That is, in the IC card R/W apparatus 102, thewriting/reading process on the IC card 101 is directly performed, not bythe IC card R/W apparatus 102 itself, but rather by the application unit104 a of the personal computer 104.

If the R/W command received from the personal computer 104 at Step A1 isneither a R/W control command nor an IC card command (if decisions atboth Steps A3 and A4 are NO), the IC card R/W apparatus 102 generates anerror response (Step A7). Apparatus 102 then transmits this response tothe personal computer 104 to notify the received command is not normal(Step A8).

In FIG. 14, an intelligent-type IC card R/W apparatus 103 has a built-inapplication. By this application, a primary process on card data of theIC card 101 can be independently performed by the IC card R/V apparatusitself. The intelligent-type IC card R/W apparatus 103 has, for example,a communication control unit 103 a, an application unit 103 b, amechanism control unit 103 c an a mechanism unit 103 d, as shown in FIG.17.

The communication unit 103 a controls the communication of a R/W commandfrom the personal computer 104 (i.e., the application unit 104 atherein) or the application unit 103 b. The application unit 103 bidentifies the type of the R/W command from the personal computer 104,and executes an application processing. The application processing is tofetch (insert/discharge) the IC card, convert a communication protocolfor the IC card 101, generate/transmit a card command, or the like,according to the result of the identification. The mechanism controlunit 103 c controls a motor or the like of the mechanism unit 103 d whenthe application unit 103 b identifies the type of the R/W command as anR/W control command to insert/discharge the IC card 101.

The above-mentioned R/W command has a format consisting of, for example,a header unit 106, an information unit 107 and a trailer unit (CRC) 108and the like, as shown in FIG. 18. In the header unit 106, a length LEN(bytes) of the information unit 107 is stored. In the information unit107, a R/W command identifier (for example, “AP” in the case of anapplication command) 109, a command unit 110 and the like are stored.The IC card R/W apparatus 103 can determine whether a received R/Wcommand is an application command or not based on the R/W commandidentifier 109.

A process in the intelligent-type IC card R/W apparatus 103 with theabove structure can be described in detail through the following withreference to the flowchart (Steps B1 through B8) shown in FIG. 19.

When the IC card R/W apparatus 103 is activated (when a power source isswitched on), the IC card R/W apparatus 103 comes to a command receptionwaiting state (NO route at Step B1). If the application unit 104 a ofthe personal computer 104 transmits any command (the R/W command, forexample), (Step B2) and the IC card R/W apparatus 103 receives this R/Wcommand. The IC card R/W apparatus 103 determines whether this R/Wcommand is an application command or not based on the R/W commandidentifier 109 (refer to FIG. 18) stored in the R/W command (Step B3).

If the received R/W command is an application command (if the decisionat Step B3 is YES), the IC card R/W apparatus 103 further determineswhether this R/W command is a R/W control command to instruct toinsert/discharge the IC card 101 or not (Step B4). If the R/W command isa R/W control command (if a decision at Step B4 is YES), the mechanismcontrol unit 103 c controls the mechanism unit 103 d to insert/dischargethe IC card 101 (Step B5). The IC card R/W apparatus 103 then transmitsa command response to the received R/W command (the application command)which shows the process completed normally to the personal computer 104(Step B8).

If the received R/W command is not a R/W control command (if thedecision at Step B4 is NO), the application unit 103 b of the IC cardR/W apparatus 103 performs application processes. These applicationprocesses are such as generating and transmitting a card command to theIC card 101, receiving a card response from the IC card 101, a card dataprocess, and generating a command response to the personal computer 104(Step B6). Application unit 103 b then transmits the generated commandresponse to the personal computer 104 (Step B8).

If the received R/W command is not an application command (if a decisionat Step B3 is NO), the communication control unit 103 a of the IC cardR/W apparatus 103 generates an error response (Step B7). Thecommunication control unit 103 a then transmits this error response tothe personal computer 104 so as to notify that the process in responseto the received R/W command could not be normally performed (Step B8).

In the intelligent-type IC card R/W apparatus 103 described above, thebuilt-in application unit 103 b is controlled according to anapplication command from the host apparatus such as the personalcomputer 104. An application process by the application unit 103 benables a primary process on card data.

There is another type of the intelligent-type IC card R/W apparatus 103.When this type of IC card R/W apparatus 103 is activated, the built-inapplication unit 103 b is automatically activated. When the IC card 101is inserted, the application unit 103 b performs a primary process oncard data of the IC card 101 by the application process described above,without a command from the personal computer 104.

In this case, when the IC card R/W apparatus 103 is activated as shownin FIG. 20, for example, the IC card R/W apparatus 103 firstautomatically activates the application unit 103 b in itself and comesto a state of waiting for the IC card 101 to be inserted (NO route atStep C1). When the IC card 101 is inserted (if a decision at Step C1 isYES), the application unit 103 b transmits the R/W control command tothe mechanism control unit 103 c (Step C2). The mechanism control unit103 c then controls the mechanism unit 103 d to fetch the IC card 101.

Subsequently, the application unit 103 b of the IC card R/W apparatus103 performs a card accessing process. This is a process such asgenerating and transmitting a card command to the inserted IC card 101,or receiving a card response from the IC card 101 (Step C3). Applicationunit 103 b then executes a card data process such as editing card dataof the IC card 101 (Step C4).

When the card data process is terminated in the IC card R/W apparatus103, the application unit 103 b transmits a R/W control command toinstruct to discharge the IC card 101 to the mechanism control unit 103c (Step C5). The mechanism control unit 103 c controls the mechanismunit 103 d to discharge the IC card 101 (Step C6).

If the IC card R/W apparatus receives a command to require data of theIC card 101, after having finished the card data process from thepersonal computer 104 but while the process as above is being executed(Step C7), for example, the IC card R/W apparatus 103 executes acommunication interrupting process as follows.

The IC card R/W apparatus 103 first inhibits an interruption which iscaused by accepting a command from another host system (Step C8). The ICcard R/W apparatus 103 then edits card data of the IC card 101 afterhaving finished the data process (Step C9) and transmits it to thepersonal computer 104 as a command response (Steps C10 and C11).Apparatus 103 then permits an interruption from another host system(Step C12).

As an apparatus performing a reading/writing process on the IC card 101,there are, in general, provided the IC card R/W apparatus 102 and the ICcard R/W apparatus 103. The apparatus 102 has a pass-through function toimplement an operation (a card inserting/discharging, a data process,etc.) on the IC card 101 by the application unit 104 a of the personalcomputer 104. The intelligent-type IC card R/W apparatus 103 has anapplication function to implement an operation on the IC card 101 by theapplication unit 103 b built-in, as above.

However, each of the IC card R/W apparatus 102 and the above-mentionedintelligent-type IC card R/W apparatus 103 has only either one of thepass-through function or the application function. In consequence, it isimpossible to use, for example, the intelligent type IC card R/Wapparatus 103 as the IC card R/W apparatus 102 having the pass-throughfunction.

A process such as directly accessing the IC card 101 from the personalcomputer 104 by the application unit 104 a of the personal computer 104may be desired (if the pass-through function is desired to be used) inan IC card system using the intelligent-type IC card RNW apparatus 103,for example. In such a case, it is necessary to newly connect the ICcard R/W apparatus 102 having the pass-through function mentioned aboveto a host system such as the personal computer 104. This is quitedisadvantageous in cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the light of the above problem, an object of the present invention isto provide an IC card reading/writing apparatus and an IC card system,which can minimize the cost required to configure the IC card system byproviding both the intelligent function and the pass-through function tothe IC card reading/writing apparatus so that it is possible to performa reading/writing process on an IC card with either function.

The present invention therefore provides an IC card reading/writingapparatus comprising an IC card reading/writing control unit having anintelligent function to control read-out/write-in processing for an ICcard by an application unit in itself. The IC card reading/writingcontrol unit has, in addition to the intelligent function, apass-through function to control read-out/write-in processing for the ICcard by an application unit in a host for an IC card reading/writingapparatus by receiving a pass-through command from the host.

The present invention also provides an IC card system comprising an ICcard, an intelligent-type IC card reading/writing apparatus to executeread out/write-in processing for the IC card by an application unit initself, and a host for the IC card reading/writing apparatus. The hostis able to send a pass-through command to the IC card reading/writingapparatus. The IC card reading/writing apparatus includes an IC cardreading/writing control unit having an intelligent function to controlread-out/write-in processing for the IC card by an application unit initself. The IC card reading/writing control unit has, in addition to theintelligent function, a pass-through function to controlread-out/write-in processing for the IC card by an application unit inthe host when receiving a pass-through command from the host.

According to the IC card reading/writing apparatus and the IC cardsystem of this invention, one IC card reading/writing apparatus may beused as either an apparatus with the intelligent function or anapparatus with the pass-through function. It is therefore possible tosimplify the configuration of the IC card system, largely reduce thecost required to build the system, and contribute to flexibility of theconfiguration of the system.

The present invention further provides an IC card reading/writingapparatus comprising an IC card reading/writing control unit having anintelligent function to control read-out/write-in processing for an ICcard by an application unit in itself and a pass-through function tocontrol read-out/write-in processing for the IC card by means of anapplication unit in a host for an IC card reading/writing apparatus byreceiving a pass-through command from the host. The IC cardreading/writing apparatus also includes an operation mode control unitfor making the IC card reading/writing apparatus be in a selected stateof either the intelligent function or the pass-through function in theIC card reading/writing control unit according to the operation mode setin response to the 5 operation mode command received from the host.

The present invention still further provides an IC card systemcomprising an IC card, an intelligent-type IC card reading/writingapparatus to execute readout/write-in processing for the IC card by anapplication unit in itself, and a host for an IC card reading/writingapparatus. The host is able to send a pass-through command to the ICcard reading/writing apparatus. The IC card reading/writing apparatusincludes an IC card reading/writing control unit having an intelligentfunction to control read-out/write-in processing for the IC card by anapplication unit in itself and a pass-through function to controlread-out/write-in processing for the IC card by an application unit inthe host by receiving a pass-through command from the host. The IC cardreading/writing apparatus further includes an operation mode controlunit for making the IC card reading/writing apparatus be in a state ofeither the intelligent function or the pass-through function in advanceaccording to a setting command to select the function without receivingthe operation mode command.

According to the IC card reading/writing apparatus and the IC cardsystem of this invention, it is possible to use the IC cardreading/writing apparatus as an apparatus with a desired function bydesignating the function through an operation mode command once withoutthe necessity of designating the intelligent function or thepass-through function each time through a command from the host. Thisfeature may largely contribute to a reduction in cost required to builtthe system and a flexibility of the configuration of the system.Particularly, this feature is very effective if it is known beforehandwhether the IC card reading/writing apparatus will be used as anapparatus having either the intelligent function or the pass-throughfunction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an aspect of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another aspect of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of an IC card systemaccording to a first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a structure of an IC cardreading/writing apparatus according to the first embodiment;

FIGS. 5(a) 5(b), 5(c), and 5(d) are diagrams showing an example of anR/W command used in the IC card system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram for illustrating a concept of a pass-throughfunction of the IC card reading/writing apparatus according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for illustrating an example of an operation of theIC card system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of an IC card systemaccording to a second embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a structure of an IC cardreading/writing apparatus according to the second embodiment of thisinvention;

FIGS. 10(a), 10(b), 10(c), 10(d), and 10(e) are diagrams showing anexample of an R/W command used in the IC card system according to thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a diagram for illustrating a concept of an operation by anoperation mode command used in the IC card system according to thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for illustrating an example of an operation ofthe IC card system according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for illustrating an example of another operationof the IC card system according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of an IC card system;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a structure of an IC cardreading/writing apparatus;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for illustrating an operation of the IC cardreading/writing apparatus;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a structure of an intelligent-type ICcard reading/writing apparatus;

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of an R/W command used in theintelligent-type IC card reading/writing apparatus;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for illustrating an example of an operation ofthe intelligent-type IC card reading/writing apparatus; and

FIG. 20 is a flowchart for illustrating an example of another operationof the intelligent-type IC card reading/writing apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (a) Description of Aspects ofthe Present Invention

Aspects of the present invention will now be described with reference tothe drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an aspect of this invention. In FIG.1, reference numeral 1 denotes an IC card (smart card). Referencenumeral 2 denotes an intelligent-type IC card reading/writing apparatuswhich implements read-out/write-in processing for the IC card 1 by anapplication unit 211 in itself. Reference numeral 3 denotes a hostsystem for an IC card reading/writing apparatus which can send apass-through command to the IC card reading/writing apparatus 2.

The IC card reading/writing apparatus 2 has an IC card reading/writingcontrol unit 21, which has an intelligent function 212 to controlread-out/write-in processing for the IC card 1 by means of anapplication unit 211 possessed by itself. Further, the IC cardreading/writing control unit 21 has, in addition to the intelligentfunction 212, a pass-through function 213 to control read-out/write-inprocessing for the IC card 1, by means of an application unit 31 of thehost system 3 for an IC card reading/writing apparatus, by receiving apass-through command from the host system 3.

According to the IC card reading/writing apparatus 2 and the IC cardsystem mentioned above, the IC card reading/writing apparatus 2 has thepass-through function in addition to the intelligent function, wherebyone IC card reading/writing apparatus 2 may be used as both an apparatuswith the intelligent function and an apparatus with the pass-throughfunction. This feature may simplify the configuration of the IC cardsystem, largely reduce the cost required to build the system andcontribute to flexibility of the configuration of the system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another aspect of the presentinvention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1′ denotes an IC card. Referencenumeral 2′ denotes an intelligent-type IC card reading/writing apparatusfor implementing reading/writing from/to the IC card 1 by an applicationunit 211′ possessed by itself. Reference numeral 3′ denotes a hostsystem for an IC card reading/writing apparatus which can send apass-through command to the IC card reading/writing apparatus 2′. The ICcard reading/writing apparatus 2′ has an IC card reading/writing controlunit 21′ and an operation mode control unit 22′.

The IC card reading/writing control unit 21′ has an intelligent function212′ to control read-out/write-in processing for the IC card 1′ by anapplication unit possessed by itself. Control unit 21′ also has apass-through function 213′ to control read-out/write-in processing forthe IC card 1′, by an application unit 31′ of the host system for an ICcard reading/writing apparatus 3′, by receiving a pass-through commandfrom the host system 3′. The operation mode control unit 22′ receives anoperation mode command from the host system 3′ and accepts a commandcorresponding to an operation mode set in response to the operation modecommand. The IC card reading/writing apparatus 2′ is thereby made to bein a state where either the intelligent function 212′ or thepass-through function 213′ in the IC card reading/writing control unit21′ is selected.

The IC card reading/writing apparatus 2′ and the IC card systemmentioned above can make the IC card reading/writing apparatus 2′ be ina state where either the intelligent function or the pass-throughfunction is selected according to the operation mode command from thehost system 3′. In consequence, it is possible to use the IC cardreading/writing apparatus 2′ as an apparatus having a desired functionby designating the function through an operation mode command oncewithout the necessity of designating the intelligent function or thepass-through function each time through a command from the host system3′. This feature largely contributes to a reduction in cost required toconfigure the system and flexibility of the configuration of the system.Particularly, this feature is very effective if it is known beforehandthat the IC card reading/writing apparatus 2′ is used as an apparatushaving either the intelligent function or the pass-through function.

In concrete terms, when receiving the operation mode command from thehost system 3′, the above-mentioned operation mode control unit 22′holds an operation mode set in response to the operation mode command.When receiving an operation mode release command from the host system3′, the operation mode control unit 22′ releases an operation mode heldtherein.

It is therefore possible at any time to alter a use of the IC cardreading/writing apparatus 2′ and use it as an apparatus with theintelligent function or the pass-through function even after the IC cardsystem has been built. This is possible because the IC cardreading/writing apparatus 2′ mentioned above may hold an operation modeset in response to an operation mode command when receiving theoperation mode command from the host system 3′ and release an operationmode held therein when receiving an operation mode release command fromthe host system 3′. If another IC card reading/writing apparatus in thesystem fails, for example, the apparatus 2′ may be used as a substitutefor the failed apparatus in a quite simple procedure. This feature maylargely contribute to reliability of the system.

The operation mode control unit 22′ rejects commands except for acommand corresponding to an operation mode set in response to anoperation mode command while holding an operation mode set in responseto the operation mode command.

Since the IC card reading/writing apparatus 2′ rejects commands exceptsuch a corresponding command (i.e., a command excepting a commandcorresponding to an operation mode while holding the operation mode setin response to an operation mode command from the host system 3′), thereis no case where an operation mode of the IC card reading/writingapparatus 2′ is abruptly changed to another operation mode during theoperation of the IC card reading/writing apparatus 2′. In consequence,it is possible to certainly and stably continue a process in anoperation mode held in the apparatus 2′.

The operation mode control unit 22′ may make the IC card reading/writingapparatus 2′ be in a state where the intelligent function 212′ or thepass-through function 213′ has a priority of being operated in the ICcard reading/writing control unit 21′ and is selected when accepting acommand corresponding to a prior operation mode set in advance, even ifan operation mode command is not received.

When accepting a command corresponding to a prior operation mode set inadvance, the IC card reading/writing apparatus 2′ may be in a statewhere either the intelligent function or the pass-through function whichhas a priority of being operated is selected, without receiving theoperation mode command. This feature is very effective to provide the ICcard reading/writing apparatus 2′ with a function suitable for aparticular purpose, if it is known beforehand whether the IC cardreading/writing apparatus 2′ is used as an apparatus with either theintelligent function or the pass-through function.

(b) Description of a First Embodiment of the Present Invention

Next, a description will be given of a first embodiment of thisinvention referring to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of an IC card systemaccording to a first embodiment of this invention. In FIG. 3, referencenumeral 4 denotes an IC card (smart card). Reference numeral 5 denotesan intelligent-type IC card reading/writing (R/W) apparatus with apass-through function. Reference numeral 6 denotes a personal computeras a host system to which the intelligent-type IC card R/W apparatus 5is connected. Reference numeral 7 denotes a printing apparatus forprinting a result of a process or the like of the personal computer 6.According to this embodiment, the personal computer 6, the printingapparatus 7 and the like, for example, configure a host system 8.

The above-mentioned IC card R/W apparatus 5 has an IC card R/W controlunit 51 for controlling readout/write-in processing for the IC card 4.Apparatus 5 also has a mechanism unit 52 including a motor or the likefor fetching (inserting)/discharging the IC card 4 as shown in FIG. 4.for example. Further, the IC card R/W control unit 51 has acommunication control unit 53, an application unit 54, a pass-throughfunction unit 55 and a mechanism control unit 56.

In the IC card R/W control unit 51, the communication control unit 53identifies a type of a R/W command to instruct a reading/writing processon the IC card 4 from the personal computer 6. Control unit 51 controlsa process in the IC card R/W control unit 51 according to a result ofthe identification. In one type of case, the R/W command from thepersonal computer 6 is an application command to instruct to perform areading/writing process on the IC card 4 by means of the applicationunit 54 built in the IC card R/W control unit 51. In such a case, theapplication unit 54 communicates with the inserted IC card 4 to performa card data process on card data of the IC card 4.

If the R/W command from the personal computer 6 is a pass-throughcommand, the pass-through function unit 55 converts the communicationprotocol of the pass-through command adaptive to the IC card 4 andtransmits it to the IC card 4, as described later. The pass-throughfunction unit 55 further conversely converts a response to the R/Wcommand into a communication protocol adaptive to the personal computer6 and transmits it to the personal computer 6. In this manner, theapplication unit 61 of the personal computer 6 performs a data processon the card data of the IC card 4.

The mechanism control unit 56 receives a R/W control command to instructto fetch/discharge the IC card 4 from the application unit 54 or thepersonal computer 6, so as to fetch/discharge the IC card 4 by driving amotor or the like of the mechanism unit 52.

Incidentally, the R/W command used in the above-mentionedintelligent-type IC card R/W apparatus 5 has, in general, a header part11, an information part 12 and a trailer part (CRC) 13. The header part11 is used to store a length “LEN” (bytes) of the information part 12.The information part 12 is used to store various commands for the ICcard R/W apparatus 5. The trailer part (CRC) 13 is used to check acommand as shown in FIG. 5(a), for example. Further, the informationpart 12 is used to store an application command to control theapplication unit 54 having an R/W command identifier (“AP”, for example)14. The application command also has a command part 15 which isdesignated a command code, a parameter and the like as shown in FIG.5(b), for example.

The intelligent-type IC card R/W apparatus 5 can thereby identifywhether a R/W command is an application command or not based on the R/Wcommand identifier 14 stored in the information unit 12 when receivingan R/W command having the above-mentioned format from the personalcomputer 6.

Suppose, for example, that an existing intelligent-type IC card R/Wapparatus receives an application command having an identifier (“AP”) inthe R/W command identifier 14 that designates a command to accumulateany data in the command code of the command part 15. The applicationunit 54 of the existing R/W apparatus then gives an instruction to fetchthe IC card 4 into the mechanism control unit 56. The mechanism controlunit 56 given the instruction controls the mechanism unit 52 so as tofetch the IC card 4. The IC card R/W apparatus then reads out data inthe IC card 4 to accumulate the data, then notifies a result of theaccumulation to the personal computer 6.

This application command is, however, a command prepared to make theapplication unit 54, built into the intelligent-type IC card R/Wapparatus 5, to execute control on the reading/writing process (theintelligent function) on the IC card 4. Therefore, this applicationcommand cannot make the pass-through function unit 55 execute control onthe reading/writing process (the pass-through function) on the IC card4.

According to this embodiment, there are newly prepared a R/W controlcommand as shown in FIG. 5(c) and a pass-through command as shown inFIG. 5(d), for example. This makes it possible to execute thepass-through function, in addition to the existing application command[refer to FIG. 5(b)]. In the R/W control command, an identifier (“R/W”,for example) 14, representing “R/W control”, and a command part 15,designating the R/W control (card inserting/discharging), are stored asshown in FIG. 5(c). In the pass-through command, an identifier (“CD”,for example) 14, representing “passthrough”, and a command part 15,designating a command and a parameter for the IC card 4, are stored asshown in FIG. 5(c).

Suppose that the R/W control command or the pass-through command isstored in the information unit 12 of the R/W command similarly to theexisting application command [refer to FIG. 5(a)] and transmitted to theintelligent-type IC card R/W apparatus 5. Only in such a case, even theintelligent-type IC card R/W apparatus 5 can directly perform areading/writing process on card data of the IC card 4 from theapplication unit 61 of the personal computer 6 in the host system 8,rather than from the application unit 54 built therein.

Namely, the above-mentioned IC card R/W apparatus 5 has the IC card R/Wcontrol unit 51 having the intelligent function to implement a controlon read-out/write-in processing for the IC card 4 by the applicationunit 54 possessed by itself. Further, the IC card R/W control unit 51has, in addition to the intelligent function, the pass-through functionunit 55 for controlling read-out/write-in processing for the IC card 4by the application unit 61 of the host system 6 by receiving thepass-through command from the personal computer 6.

Concretely, the pass-through function unit 55 deletes the header part(LEN) 11, the trailer part 13 and the command identifier 14 of thereceived R/W command (in a nest state where the pass-through commandhaving a card command in the command part 15 is stored in theinformation part 12). The received R/W command is received from thepersonal computer 6 as shown in FIG. 6, for example. After that, thepass-through function unit 55 gives a checking byte (EDC) to the cardcommand to convert the communication protocol of the received R/Wcommand adaptive to the IC card 4 and transmits the R/W command to theIC card 4. On the other hand, the pass-through function unit 55 performsan inverse process of the above on a response from the IC card 4 toconvert the communication protocol of the response into the originalcommunication protocol (adaptive to the personal computer 6), andtransmits the response to the personal computer 6.

Operation of the IC card system having the above structure can bedescribed as following in detail with reference to the flowchart (StepsS1 through S19) shown in FIG. 7.

The intelligent-type IC card R/W apparatus 5 first comes to a commandreception waiting state when activated (NO route at Step S1). If thepersonal computer 6 transmits a R/W command (Step S2) and theintelligent-type IC card R/W apparatus 5 receives the R/W command inthis state (if a decision at Step S1 is YES), the communication unit 53in the IC card R/W apparatus 5 determines whether the received R/Wcommand is an application command, a R/W control command or apass-through command (Steps S3 through S5).

If the received R/W command is, for example, an application command (adecision at Step S3 is YES), the application unit 54 transmits aninstruction to insert (fetch) the IC card 4 to the mechanism controlunit 56 (Step S6). The control unit 56 thereby controls the mechanismunit 52 to fetch the IC card 4 (Step 37).

Subsequently, the application unit 54 generates a card command for theIC card 4 and transmits it to the IC card 4 (Step S8). When receiving aresponse to the card command (Step S9), the application unit 54 performsan application process, such as a reading process, an editing processand the like, on card data in the IC card 4 (Step S10).

When the application process is terminated, the application unit 54gives an instruction to discharge the IC card 4 to the mechanism controlunit 56 (Step S11). The mechanism control unit 56 thereby controls themechanism unit 52 to discharge the IC card 4 (Step S12). Then, theapplication unit 54 generates a response to the personal computer 6(Step S13) and transmits it to the personal computer 6 through thecommunication control unit 53 (Step S14).

If the R/W command received from the personal computer 6 is a R/Wcontrol command (a decision at Step S3 is NO and at Step S4 is YES), inthe intelligent-type IC card R/W apparatus 5, the mechanism control unit56 controls the mechanism unit 52 to perform only aninserting/discharging process on the IC card 4 (Steps S7 and S12). Thena response to the received R/W control command is transmitted to thepersonal computer 6 through the communication control unit 53 (StepS14).

The R/W command received from the personal computer 6 may be apass-through command (if decisions at Steps S3 and S4 are NO and at StepS5 is YES), in the intelligent-type IC card R/W apparatus 5. In thiscase, the pass-through function unit 55 converts the communicationprotocol of the received R/W command (the card command) adaptive to theIC card 4 as described before with reference to FIG. 6. Unit 55transmits the R/W command to the IC card 4 (Steps S15 and S16). Thepass-through function unit 55 then converts the communication protocolof the response to the card command adaptive to the personal computer 6(Steps S17 and S18) and then transmits the response to the personalcomputer 6 (Step S14).

If the R/W command received from the personal computer 6 is neither anapplication command nor a R/W control command nor a pass-through command(if decisions at Steps S3 through S5 are all NO), the communicationcontrol unit 53 generates an error response (Step S19). Control unit 53transmits this error response to the personal computer 6 (Step S14).

According to the IC card system of this embodiment, the IC card R/Wapparatus 5 has the IC card R/W control unit 51 having the intelligentfunction to control read-out/write-in processing for the IC card 4 bythe application unit 54 in itself. Further, the IC card R/W control unit51 has, in addition to the intelligent function, a pass-throughfunction. This pass-through function is to read from and write to the ICcard 4 by means of the application unit 61 of the personal computer 6 byreceiving the pass-through command from the personal computer 6, asabove. It is therefore possible to use one intelligent-type IC card R/Wapparatus 5 as either a R/W apparatus with the intelligent function or aR/W apparatus with the pass-through function.

In consequence, it is possible to simplify the structure of the IC cardsystem with only the above-mentioned intelligent-type IC card R/Wapparatus 5. It is also possible thereby to largely reduce the costrequired to configure the system and largely contribute to flexibilityof the configuration of the system.

(c) Description of a Second Embodiment of the Present Invention

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of an IC card systemaccording to a second embodiment of this invention. In FIG. 8, referencenumeral 4 denotes an IC card. Reference numeral 5′ denotes anintelligent-type IC card reading/writing (R/W) apparatus. Referencenumeral 6 denotes a personal computer as a host system to which the ICcard R/W apparatus 5′ is connected. Reference numeral 7 denotes aprinting apparatus for printing a result of a process or the like of thepersonal computer 6. According to this embodiment as well, the personalcomputer 6, the printing apparatus 7 and the like configure, forexample, the host system 8.

The above-mentioned IC card R/W apparatus 5′ has an IC card R/W controlunit 51′ for controlling readout/write-in processing for the IC card 4.Apparatus 5′ also has a mechanism unit 52 having a motor and the likeused to fetch/discharge the IC card 4 as shown in FIG. 9, for example.According to this embodiment, the IC card R/W control unit 51 has acommunication control unit 53, an application unit 54, a pass-throughfunction unit 55, and a mechanism control unit 56 which are similar tothose according to the first embodiment. The IC card R/W control unit51′ also has an operation mode control unit 57.

The operation mode control unit 57 sets either an application mode or apass-through mode. The application mode (an intelligent mode) controlsreading/writing process on the IC card 4 by the application unit 54. Thepass-through mode controls reading/writing process on the IC card 4 bythe pass-through function unit 55 according to an operation mode commandfrom the personal computer 6 described later.

Namely, the above-mentioned IC card R/W apparatus 5′ has the IC card R/Wcontrol unit 51′ having both an intelligent function and a pass-throughfunction. The intelligent function controls read-out/write-in processingfor the IC card 4 by means of the application unit 54 in itself. Thepass-through function unit 55 controls read-out/write-in processing forthe IC card 4 by means of the application unit of the personal computer6 by receiving a pass-through command from the personal computer 6. TheIC card R/W apparatus 5′ thereby receives an operation mode command fromthe personal computer 6 and accepts a command corresponding to anoperation mode. The operation mode is set in response to the operationmode command so that the operation mode control unit 57 can selecteither the intelligent function or the pass-through function in the ICcard R/W control unit 51′.

Incidentally, the operation mode command has, similarly to the firstembodiment, a R/W command identifier (“MD”, for example) 14 and acommand part 15 designated instruction to release the application modeor the pass-through mode as shown, for example, in FIG. 10(e). Theoperation mode command is stored in an information part 12 of a R/Wcommand transmitted from the personal computer 6. The R/W command has aformat as shown in FIG. 10(a) similarly to the application command, theR/W control command and the pass-through command shown in FIGS. 10(b)through 10(d), respectively.

If an operation mode of the IC card R/W 5′ is set according to theoperation mode command as shown in FIG. 11, for example, the operationmode set is held in a storage 58 within the IC card R/W apparatus 5′.The set operation mode is cleared when a power supply of the IC card R/Wapparatus 5′ is switched off. If the set operation mode is released, theoperation mode held in the storage 58 is cleared. If the operation modeis not set, any command other than a R/W control command is rejected.

Next an operation of the IC card system having the above structure willbe described with reference to the flowchart (Steps S21 through S42)shown in FIG. 12.

When activated (when a power supply is switched on), the IC card R/Wapparatus 5′ comes to a command reception waiting state (NO route atStep S21). The personal computer 6 transmits a R/W command (Step S22)and the IC card R/W apparatus 5′ receives this R/W command in this state(if a decision at Step 21 is YES). In the IC card R/W apparatus 5′, thecommunication control unit 53 determines whether the received R/Wcommand is an operation mode command, an application command, a R/Wcontrol command or a pass-through command according to the R/W commandidentifier 14 in the received R/W command (Steps S23 through S26).

In a first case, the received R/W command is an operation mode command(if a decision at Step S23 is YES). In this case, the operation modecontrol unit 57 further determines whether the operation mode command isan application mode set command, a pass-through mode set command or amode clear command (Steps S27 through S29).

If the received R/W command (the operation mode command) is anapplication mode set command (if a decision at Step S27 is YES), theapplication mode is set (Step S30). If the received R/W command is apass-through mode set command (a decision at Step S27 is NO and at StepS28 is YES), the pass-through mode is set (Step S31). If the receivedR/W command is a mode clear command (if decisions at Steps S27 and S28are NO and at Step S29 is YES), the mode currently set (held) is cleared(Step S32).

If the received R/W command (the application command) is neither anapplication mode set command nor a pass-through mode set command nor amode clear command (if decisions at Steps S27 through S29 are all NO),the operation mode control unit 57 generates an error response (StepS33). The communication control unit 53 transmits the error response tothe personal computer 6 (Step S42).

If the received R/W command is an application command (a decision atStep S23 is NO and at Step S24 is YES), the application unit 54determines whether the operation mode currently set is the applicationmode (the AP mode) or not (Step S34). If the application mode has beenset (if a decision at Step S34 is YES), the mechanism control unit 56controls the mechanism unit 52 to fetch the IC card 4.

After that, the application unit 54 performs an application process suchas a reading process, an editing process or the like on card data of theIC card 4. The mechanism control unit 56 then controls the mechanismunit 52 to discharge the IC card 4 (Steps S35 through S37). Thecommunication control unit 53 transmits a response to the personalcomputer 6 (Step S42).

If the application mode has not been set when the application command isreceived (if a decision at Step S34 is NO), the application unit 54generates an error response (Step S38), and transmits it to the personalcomputer 7 (Step S42).

If the R/W command received from the personal computer 6 is a R/Wcontrol command (if decisions at Steps S23 and S24 are NO and at StepS25 is YES), the mechanism control unit 56 controls the mechanism unit52 to perform only the inserting/discharging process on the IC card 4(Steps S36 and S37). Then a response to the R/W control command istransmitted to the personal computer 6 by the communication control unit53 (Step S42).

If the R/W command received from the personal computer 6 is apass-through command (if decisions at Steps S23 through S25 are NO andat Step S26 is YES), the pass-through function unit 55 determineswhether the operation mode currently set is the pass-through mode or not(step S38′). If the pass-through mode is set (if a decision at Step S38′is YES), the pass-through function unit 55 converts the communicationprotocol of the received R/W command (the pass-through command includingthe card command) adaptive to the IC card 4 and transmits the R/Wcommand to the IC card 4. Then the pass-through function unit 55converts the communication protocol of the response to this card commandadaptive to the personal computer 6 (Step S39) and transmits theresponse to the personal computer 6 (Step S42), as described before withreference to FIG. 6.

If the operation mode currently set is not the pass-through mode whenthe pass-through command is received (if a decision at Step S38′ is NO),the pass-through function unit 55 generates an error response (StepS40). The error response is transmitted to the personal computer 6 (stepS42).

If the R/W command received from the personal computer 6 is neither anoperation mode command nor an application mode command nor a R/W controlcommand nor a pass-through command (if decisions at Steps S23 throughS26 are NO), the communication control unit 53 generates an errorresponse (Step S41). Then this error response is transmitted to thepersonal computer 6 (Step S42).

According to the IC card system of this embodiment, it is possible tomake the IC card R/W apparatus 5′ be in a state of the application mode(the intelligent function) or the pass-through mode (the pass-throughfunction). The mode is selected according to the operation mode commandfrom the personal computer 6. The IC card R/W apparatus 5′ therefore maybe used as an R/W apparatus operative in a desired mode by designatingit once using the operation mode command. This eliminates the necessityof designating each time the intelligent function or the pass-throughfunction using a command from the personal computer 6.

In this case, this embodiment contributes to a reduction in costrequired to configure the system and to flexibility of the system. Inparticular, this embodiment is very effective if it is known beforehandthat the IC card R/W apparatus 5′ will be used as an apparatus havingeither the intelligent function or the pass-through function.

When receiving the operation mode command from the personal computer 6,the above-mentioned IC card R/W apparatus 5′ holds an operation mode setby the operation mode command. When receiving the mode clear command (anoperation mode release command) from the personal computer 6, the ICcard R/W apparatus 5′ can clear (release) the held operation mode. Inconsequence, it is possible at any time to alter the use of the IC cardR/W apparatus 5′ into an apparatus with the intelligent function or anapparatus with the pass-through function, even after the system has beenbuilt.

If another IC card R/W apparatus in the system fails, for example, it ispossible to use the IC card R/W apparatus 5′ as a substitute for thefailed IC card R/W apparatus in an extremely simple procedure. Thisfeature largely contributes to reliability of the system.

Further, the above-mentioned IC card R/W apparatus 5′ rejects commandsexcept for a command corresponding to an operation mode held as a modeset by the operation mode command from the personal computer 6, asdescribed hereinbefore at Step S38 or Step S40 in FIG. 12. Accordingly,it does not happen that the IC card R/W apparatus 5′ is abruptly shiftedinto another operation mode while the IC card R/W apparatus 5′ is in anoperation. The IC card R/W apparatus 5′ therefore can certainly andstably continue a process in an operation mode that the IC card R/Wapparatus 5′ holds.

In the above-mentioned IC card system, a procedure is established untilthe application command, the pass-through command or the like is issued.Therefore, the upper personal computer 6 can always recognize an issuedcommand, whereby security of the IC card system may be improved.

In the above-mentioned IC card R/W apparatus 5′, is possible that anoperation mode that has a priority is set in advance. A commandcorresponding to the pre-set priority mode is thereby operableirrespective of an operation mode currently set.

Suppose, for example, that an operation mode set in advance as apriority mode is set as the application mode (the intelligent function).In this case, the application process by the application unit 54 ispreferentially implemented (Step S35) without a determining process asdescribed at Step S34 in FIG. 12 (a process to determine whether anoperation mode currently set is the application mode or not) if the R/Wcommand from the personal computer 6 is an application command (if adecision at Step S24 is NO).

Incidentally, other processes are implemented similarly to the processesdescribed with reference to FIG. 12. If an operation mode that has apriority is set in advance to the pass-through mode (the pass-throughfunction), the pass-through process by the pass-through function unit 55is preferentially executed without a determining process as described atStep S38 in FIG. 12 (a process of determining whether an operation modecurrently set is the pass-through mode or not).

In this case, when the IC card R/W apparatus 5′ accepts a commandcorresponding to an operation mode set in advance as a priority mode,the IC card R/W apparatus 5′ may be brought to a state where either theintelligent function or the pass-through function that has a priority isselected, even if the operation mode command is not received. If it isknown beforehand that the IC card R/W apparatus 5′ will be used as anapparatus having either the intelligent function or the pass-throughfunction, for example, it is possible to provide quite efficiently theIC card R/W apparatus 5′ having a function suitable for a purpose of theuse. As a result, the facility of the IC card R/W apparatus 5′ inrelation with the upper personal computer 6 (the host system s) may beimproved.

A method of setting a prior operation mode is not particularlypreferred. However, there would be possible a method in which thepriority operation mode is set in advance by means of an outer settingfunction of the intelligent-type IC card R/W apparatus 5′.Alternatively, a method is possible in which the priority operation modeis fixedly set in the intelligent-type IC card R/W apparatus 5′.

What is claimed is:
 1. An IC card reading/writing apparatus for couplingto a host and receiving therefrom host commands from the host, each hostcommand comprising a command identifier and a command part, theapparatus comprising: a pass-through unit to obtain a host command inwhich the command part comprises a card command, wherein saidpass-through unit extracts the card command from the host command, andtransfers the card command to an IC card; an application unit to obtaina host command in which the command part comprises an applicationcommand, wherein said application unit performs an application processfor the IC card responsive to the application command; and a controlunit to identify the command part of a host command received from thehost, wherein said control unit selects one of said pass-through unitand said application unit based upon the identified command part, andtransfers the received host command to said application unit when theidentified command part comprises the application command, and saidpass-through unit when the identified command part comprises the cardcommand.
 2. The IC card reading/writing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said control unit transfers the received host command to amechanism control unit when the command part is a control command.
 3. AnIC card reading/writing method, comprising: identifying a command partof a host command received by a reading/writing apparatus from a host;selecting and transferring the host command to an application unit ofthe reading/writing apparatus when the identified command part comprisesan application command; executing an application process for an IC cardby the application unit responsive to the application command; selectingand transferring the host command to a pass-through unit of thereading/writing apparatus when the identified command part comprises acard command; and extracting the card command by the pass-through unitfor processing by the IC card.
 4. The IC card reading/writing methodaccording to claim 3, further comprising: receiving a card response fromthe IC card responsive to the card command, when the host command hasbeen transferred to the pass-through unit; and incorporating the cardresponse into a response command for processing by the host when thecard response is received responsive to the card command.
 5. The IC cardreading/writing method according to claim 3, further comprisingtransferring the host command to a mechanism control unit of thereading/writing apparatus when the identified contents comprises acontrol command.
 6. A computer readable medium encoded with processinginstructions for implementing a method performed by a computer, themethod comprising: identifying a command part of a host command receivedby a reading/writing apparatus from a host; selecting and transferringthe host command to an application unit of the reading/writing apparatuswhen the identified command part comprises an application command inorder to execute an application process for an IC card by theapplication unit responsive to the application command; and selectingand transferring the host command to a pass-through unit of thereading/writing apparatus when the identified command part comprises acard command in order for the pass-through unit to extract the cardcommand to be processed by the IC card.
 7. The computer readable mediumaccording to claim 6, further comprising: receiving a card response fromthe IC card responsive to the card command, when the host command hasbeen transferred to the pass-through unit; and incorporating the cardresponse into a response command for processing by the host when thecard response is received responsive to the card command.
 8. Thecomputer readable medium according to claim 6, further comprisingtransferring the host command to a mechanism control unit of thereading/writing apparatus when the identified contents comprises acontrol command.
 9. An IC card system comprising: a host to issue hostcommands, each host command comprising a command identifier and acommand part; and an IC card reading/writing apparatus to receive thehost commands, said IC Card reading/writing apparatus comprising apass-through unit to obtain the host command in which the command partcomprises a card command, wherein the pass-through unit extracts thecard command from the host command, and transfers the card command to anIC card, an application unit to obtain the host command in which thecommand part comprises an application command, wherein the applicationunit performs an application process for the IC card responsive to theapplication command, and a control unit to identify the command part ofthe host command received from said host, wherein the control unitselects one of the pass-through unit and the application unit based uponthe identified command part, and transfers the received host command tothe application unit when the identified command part comprises anapplication command, and the pass-through unit when the identifiedcommand part comprises a card command.
 10. An IC card system accordingto claim 9, wherein said control unit transfers the received hostcommand to a mechanism control unit when the command part is a controlcommand.
 11. An IC card reading/writing apparatus for coupling to a hostand receiving therefrom host commands from the host, each host commandcomprising a command identifier and a command part, the apparatuscomprising: a pass-through unit to obtain a first host command having aformat comprising the command identifier and the command part, where thecommand part comprises a card command, wherein said pass-through unitextracts the card command from the host command, and transfers the cardcommand to an IC card; an application unit to obtain a second hostcommand having a format that is the same as the format of the first hostcommand, in which the command part comprises an application command,wherein said application unit performs an application process for the ICcard responsive to the application command; and a control unit toidentify contents of the command part of one of the first and secondhost commands received from the host based on the command identifier inthe one received host command, wherein said control unit transfers thereceived host command to said application unit when the identifiedcommand part comprises the application command, and said pass-throughunit when the identified command part comprises the card command.
 12. AnIC card reading/writing method, comprising: receiving at an IC cardreading/writing apparatus a host command from a host, the host commandhaving a format comprising a command identifier and a command part;identifying the command part of the received host command based on thecommand identifier of the received host command; transferring the hostcommand to an application unit of the reading/writing apparatus when theidentified command part comprises an application command; executing anapplication process for an IC card by the application unit responsive tothe application command; transferring the host command to a pass-throughunit of the reading/writing apparatus when the identified command partcomprises a card command; and extracting the card command by thepass-through unit for processing by the IC card.